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Nissan Skyline reliability by build year

Coverage 1989-20023 named generationsSaloonPETROL

We've only got 1,007 MOT tests for Nissan Skylines built before 2000 (over 25 years old). Treat these numbers as a rough guide.

At a glance

Nissan Skyline built before 2000: fails its MOT less often than average

Nissan Skylines built before 2000 fail their MOT less often than similar cars the same age. An independent inspection matters more than the wider numbers on cars this old.

Check a Nissan Skyline by number plate

Key figure

11% of MOT tests on Nissan Skylines built before 2000 ended in a fail (retests included), against 24% for similar cars the same age.

Most common issue

The most common MOT issue on Nissan Skylines built before 2000 involves the suspension.

Before you view it

What to check before viewing

The Nissan Skyline's most common MOT issues, turned into things to ask about or look for.

Brake pipes and hoses

High priority

Look under the car for corrosion or chafing on the rigid brake pipes near the rear axle.

Underbody / chassis corrosion

High priority

Get the car on a ramp or jack point and inspect sills, subframe mounts, and rear suspension mounting points.

Suspension bushes and joints

Worth checking

Listen for knocks over speed bumps and ask about recent control-arm or anti-roll-bar work.

Tyres

Worth checking

Check tread depth across the full width on all four; uneven wear suggests alignment or suspension issues.

Suspension

Worth checking

Inspect the suspension carefully and ask the seller for repair history.

Vehicle-specific check

Worth checking

Check the car’s number plate on MOT Wise to see its own MOT history and any recalls for its build years.

By build year

How build years differ

Fail rates have been steady over the last three years. Use the build-year guide below to separate newer build years from older ones.

Find your Skyline's generation

Each card below is a different generation. Select your year and we'll highlight the match.

Skyline R34

R34 (1998-2002)

Excellent
PETROL

10.7% fail rate, built before 2000 (over 25 years old)

Fails less often than the average car this age (about 1 in 4 MOTs, 25.2%)

From 1,007 MOT tests at this ageView details →
Pre

Older models (before 2005)

PETROL
564 MOT tests across all agesLimited data

Not sure which one you're looking at?

Match your build year to its generation, then see the fail rates for those build years of the Nissan Skyline.

See every build year for the Nissan Skyline

By age

Nissan Skyline fail rate by age

This chart combines every Nissan Skyline ever sold. It's good for the big picture. For one generation, scroll up to the build-year cards.

Below typicalAbove typicalHigh (28% or more)Highest fail rate
Age / builtFail rateMOT tests
8 yearsbuilt around 2017
619.8%
9 yearsbuilt around 2016
10511.4%
10 yearsbuilt around 2015
8114.8%
16 yearsbuilt around 2009
6616.7%
17 yearsbuilt around 2008
11515.7%
18 yearsbuilt around 2007
8315.7%
19 yearsbuilt around 2006
10212.8%
20 yearsbuilt around 2005
12112.4%
21 yearsbuilt around 2004
13219.7%
23 yearsbuilt around 2002
5113.7%
24 yearsbuilt around 2001
9112.1%
25+ yearsbuilt 2000 or earlier
1,00710.7%

Fail rate is the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests. How we count fail rates Build years are worked out from age, so they are approximate. Tests counted are 2025 MOTs. Highest fail rate at 21 years old.

All generations of this model

What goes wrong most often on 25+ year old Nissan Skylines

These issues come from 25+ year old Nissan Skylines, every generation combined.

All generations of this modelEnough data

Most common advisories and fails

In order of the share of MOT tests that recorded each one

  1. 1
    Advisory

    Suspension arm pin or bush worn, but not moving too much

    6.5%
    Advisory: 88Fail: 10 (10% of the times it was found)
  2. 2
    Advisory

    Brake pipe corroded or covered in grease

    5.0%
    Advisory: 67Fail: 9 (12% of the times it was found)
  3. 3
    Advisory

    Tyre worn close to the legal limit or worn on the edge

    4.9%
    Advisory: 84Fail: 5 (6% of the times it was found)
  4. 4
    Advisory

    Oil leak, but not excessive

    4.7%
    Advisory: 51Fail: 0 (0% of the times it was found)
  5. 5
    Advisory

    Body structure corroded, but not seriously weakened

    3.1%
    Advisory: 44Fail: 9 (17% of the times it was found)

Based on 1,007 MOT tests on 25+ year old Nissan Skylines, every generation combined.

All generations of this model

Issues that often appear together

The pairs seen most often when an MOT on 25+ year old Nissan Skylines notes problems with more than one part of the car.

Issues that often appear together on this model

All generations of this modelEnough data
  1. Brakes + Suspension25%
  2. Lighting + Suspension23%
  3. Body & structure + Brakes18%
  4. Body & structure + Suspension16%

Both were noted at the same test. That doesn't mean one caused the other.

Across 235 MOT tests on Nissan Skyline cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old) where more than one part of the car was noted.

Still registered

How many are still registered, and recalls

How many of these are still registered in the UK, and what's been recalled across the model.

How many are still registered

Not enough registration data to show this for the Nissan Skyline.

The share still registered can reflect demand, the cost of repairs, exports, write-offs and how owners use the car. It isn't proof of how long the car lasts mechanically.

Recall context

DVSA's recall list has no recalls filed under the Nissan Skyline name. For the exact car, check with the maker or GOV.UK's recall checker.

Like-for-like

Other saloons to compare

Other saloons to compare

  1. 1

    Saab 9-3

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    26.9%

    No clear edge over the Nissan Skyline on these figures.

    Some figures could not be compared for these two cars. So this comparison uses the fail rate and recalls only.

    1,327 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  2. 2

    BMW 3 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    22.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    89.8%

    No clear edge over the Nissan Skyline on these figures.

    15 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    17,892 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  3. 3

    BMW 5 Series

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    25.8%
    Still registered at 10 years
    82.6%

    No clear edge over the Nissan Skyline on these figures.

    12 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,939 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

  4. 4

    Jaguar XJ

    Same body type, tested at the same age

    Fail rate
    21.2%
    Still registered at 10 years
    93.8%

    No clear edge over the Nissan Skyline on these figures.

    5 critical recall campaigns matching this model/build period.

    4,238 MOT tests on cars built before 2000

Fail rate
= the share of MOT tests that ended in a fail. Retests count as tests.
Still registered at 10 years
= the share of cars still registered (taxed or declared off the road) 10 years after they were first registered.

Common questions

Frequently asked questions

Built before 2000 (over 25 years old), the Nissan Skyline across all generations combined fails MOTs noticeably less often than typical for this age. This is based on 1,007 25+ year old MOT tests from DVSA data. Each retest counts as a test.

These figures come from DVSA's MOT records. Across every Nissan Skyline ever sold: 2,015 tests. The main figures are for cars built before 2000 (over 25 years old): 1,007 tests. They are a guide, not a guarantee. Always inspect the car or have a mechanic check it.